FIFA Women's World Cup so far - Final Group Games Remain

The FIFA Women's World Cup is in full swing and we are down to the final game within the group stages. So far in the tournament only two countries have secured their spot in the next stage of the tournament. They are current World Cup holders Japan and Brasil. The tournament is the biggest to date with the competition increasing from 16 teams to 24.

Due to the expansion of the tournament there has been a new format implements which means the top two nations in each group will advance to the round of 16 along with the top four 3rd place teams. Below is a summary of what has been going on so far this Summer in Canada.

Group A

Host's Canada kicked off the games in Edmonton on Saturday June 6th with a last minute penalty from captain Christine Sinclair sealing all three points on opening day versus China PR. New Zealand faced debutants the Netherlands on the same day and were defeated by a single goal. A solo effort by Lieke Martens inside the opening half gave the Netherlands a win in their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup finals. Martens goal has already been shortlisted as one of the goals of the tournament so far.

On June 11th, Canada faced New Zealand in a scoreless draw. The Canadians have yet to score a goal from open play in this World Cup on home soil. The Netherlands faced defeat versus China PR in their second game of the tournament. A late winner by Wang inside injury time was the difference between the two sides.

Group B

Germany kicked off their quest for their third title on June 7th versus debutants the Ivory Coast. It didn't take long for Germany to declare why they are one of the favourites to win this edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup as they scored their opening goal on the second minute. The game ended 10 - 0 in favour of the German's and could have been a higher margin except for some heroic saves by Ivory Coast keeper Thiamale. Elsewhere, Norway faced the other newcomers Thailand in a 4 - 0 victory.

In the second game the European sides faced each other on June 11th. The game was highly anticipated among the group stages as the Euro 2013 finalists met again on the main stage. The game was dominated by Germany who led by a single goal at the break but a terrific free kick by Mjelde in the second half captured a hard earned draw. Thailand secured their first win in a FIFA Women's World Cup finals with a 3 - 2 defeat later that day versus the Ivory Coast.

Group C

The current FIFA Women's World cup holders Japan were the first of two teams to advance to the next stage of the tournament after securing all points from their group games so far. The Japanese kicked off their campaign on June 8th with a narrow one nil win versus Switzerland in Vancouver. Debutants Cameroon and Ecuador faced each other on the same day which end 6 - 0 to Cameroon who scored three penalties.

On June 12th, Japan secured their spot in the next round of the tournament adding another three points to their tally versus Cameroon in a 2 - 1 win. Switzerland secured three points in their second game versus Cameroon which ended 10 - 1.

Group D

Sweden and Nigeria kicked off the group of death on June 8th in Winnipeg. Sweden were leading 2 - 0 at the break with goals coming from poorly defended corner kicks. However, Nigeria were back level on the 50th minute. The game was a six goal thriller ending 3 - 3 with the Nigerian Falcon's pushing Sweden onto the back foot for most of the second half.

The United States began their campaign for their third title since the famous win in 1999 against Australia. It was Megan Rapinoe who broke the deadlock on 12th minute when her shot deflected into the Australian net. Lisa De Vanna celebrated her 100th cap with an equaliser on the 28th minute but the United States added another two to their tally inside the second half to secure a 3  - 1 victory in the opening game. Heroics from United States goalkeeper Hope Solo kept the Yanks in the game and Australia were unfortunate not to get more from the game.

The United States faced old coach Pia Sundhage and Sweden on June 12th in a scoreless draw. It could of ended in favour of Sweden with Meghan Klingberg making a save on the American goal line. Australia secured a well earned three points in their second game versus Nigeria with a brace by Kyah Simon. The final group game is set to be a nail bitter as it is, an all to play for all opponents.

Group E

Brazil joined current World Cup holders Japan in the next round after securing all available points from their games so far in Group E. Brazil kicked off their campaign on June 9th versus Korea Republic in a 2 - 0 victory with five time FIFA player of the year Marta securing the win from the penalty spot on the 53rd minute. FIFA Women's World Cup debutants Spain and Costa Rica battled to secure a point for their side in a 1-1 draw on the same day.

Brazil and debutants Spain faced off on Saturday, June 13th. Brazil advanced to the next round with a 1 - 0 victory, thanks to a goal inside the closing minutes of the first half by Alves. Later that day, debutants Costa Rica played out a 2 - 2 draw with the Korea Republic.

Group F

Outside favourites France began their FIFA Women's World Cup campaign with a win versus England. Eugiene Le Sommer's goal in the first half was enough to seal the Les Bleues an opening game victory. Debutants Colombia and Mexico later played out a 1 - 1 draw in Moncton.

Colombia stunned France in a 2 - 0 victory on Saturday June 13th to secure their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup victory. Goals by Andrade on the 19th and Usme on the 93rd secured a win for the South American side. England secured their first victory in a 2 - 1 win versus Mexico. The English side faced a lot of criticism for their line-up and approach to the opening game versus France but in this game they attacked and their hard work paid off with all three points on the scoreboard.

The final group games are set to be played over the next coming days and you can follow all the action with ExtraTime.ie. The games are set to be broadcast on both the BBC and EuroSport. The upcoming fixtures are listed below in Irish time.

June 15th

Group B

Thailand vs. Germany - 9pm

Ivory Coast vs. Norway - 9pm

June 16th

Group A

Netherlands vs. Canada - 12:30am

China PR vs. New Zealand - 12:30am

June 16th

Group C

Ecuador vs. Japan - 10pm

Switzerland vs. Cameroon - 10pm

June 17th

Group D

Nigeria vs. United States - 1am

Australia vs. Sweden - 1am

Group F

Mexico vs. France - 9pm

England vs. Colombia - 9pm

June 18th

Group E

Costa Rice vs. Brazil - 12am

Korea Republic vs. Spain - 12am